The Sheriff’s Tender-Hearted Bride: A Christian Historical Romance Novel

by Chloe Carley

  “Oh, I see, so you assumed they’d be here in Westfort, because every bandit in the state brings his cattle to auction here,” the man said, shaking his head.

  “I only want to check the branding against what you’ve got here,” Thomas replied.

  “And did the marshal approve it? You don’t have any jurisdiction here, Sheriff Redmond,” the man said, turning his back on Thomas and hobbling away.

  Is the whole town in on this? Thomas began looking around at the crowded cattle pens.

  A few ranchers had now stepped forward, eyeing Thomas suspiciously. It seemed he wasn’t going to get any help here. He checked the rumps of several cattle, but none of the brandings matched those reported stolen. With no further leads and no co-operation, it seemed that his visit to Westfort had been for nothing. His only choice would be to return home to Lakestone empty-handed.

  “You need to be careful, Sheriff,” came a voice from behind as Thomas stepped out into the fresh air from the oppressive atmosphere of the auction mart.

  He turned to see an elderly man with a long flowing beard and two pistols in his belt.

  “Oh yeah, and why’s that?” Thomas replied.

  “You’re not a popular man for asking all these questions. That’s all I’m saying,” the man replied, fingering the pistols as he turned back inside.

  “I’m only looking for the truth,” Thomas retorted.

  “And the truth can get you into a lot of trouble,” the man called back, “sometimes, a blind eye is a man’s best hope of self-preservation.”

  Thomas shook his head and walked back down the street to where he’d tethered his horse.

  This town is the worst, I’ve never seen such corruption, he thought, marveling at the fact that everyone seemed complicit in whatever wickedness was being enacted here.

  He climbed onto the horse and spurred it along, hoping to make Lakestone by nightfall.

  “So long, Westfort, and thanks for nothing,” he mumbled as he rode out of town and took to the trail.

  He’d gotten no answers that day, only further questions—and there was no doubt in his mind that he was dealing with something far bigger than he’d ever suspected .

  ***

  Aline was busy sweeping the parlor. She’d awoken early that morning with Sammy scratching at the door to be let out.

  “Well, I’m awake now, I may as well get up too,” she’d told him, as he ran out into the parlor.

  She’d prepared bread to rise, washed the crockery on the dresser and tidied out a cupboard. It was only eleven o’clock and already she’d done most of her chores for the day.

  Perhaps I’ll take a ride out on Scout, she thought, still in disbelief at Thomas’ kind and generous gift.

  She’d made some lemonade the day before and some cherry rock buns and intended to go out to the barns and bring refreshment to Clarence and Hector. They’d been working hard the day before in mending the roof of the grain store and it was rare to hear them receive any thanks from their employer.

  Having finished her sweeping, she prepared a tray with glasses and a pile of the buns which she hoped were not as rocky as their name implied. Her culinary skills were continuing to improve, though she’d had a disaster with a cake the day before, scolding herself for forgetting that most essential ingredient: the egg.

  “I don’t think anyone will want to eat that, Sammy,” she said, laughing at the sight of the cake, the remnants of which lay on the table, as dense as a lump of coal.

  With Sammy at her feet, she balanced the tray precariously in one hand and stepped out into the ranch yard.

  I’ll surprise them, she decided, making her way towards the grain store.

  But looking up toward the half-mended roof, she was surprised to see no sign of Clarence or Hector.

  “Hello,” she called out, thinking perhaps they might be elsewhere in the ranch yard.

  But there was no answer and, looking around, she saw no sign of their horses, either. Usually, they were tethered up where Scout now stood happily eating a pail of oats.

  Now where could they be? she wondered, stepping inside the barn.

  But there was no one there, either only two missing saddles. Shaking her head, she stepped back out into the sunshine.

  “Well, Sammy, it’s lemonade and rock buns for you and I,” she said, curious as to where the ranch hands had gone and suddenly feeling quite alone.

  They always told her if they were to be gone for any time. The ranch was large, lonely, and isolated, and Aline couldn’t help but feel just a little apprehensive about being there alone.

  Don’t be so foolish, she admonished herself, but as she returned to the ranch house, Aline couldn’t help but feel scared to be on her own, the threat of outlaws foremost in her mind.

  “I sure wish Thomas was here,” she said to Sammy, who purred as though in agreement, “he’d keep us safe.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Thomas was making good time on his ride back to Lakestone. He’d paused to eat a hunk of bread and cheese that Lita Morrell had wisely pushed into his pocket as he’d left the boarding house that morning, but he’d met no one on the trail. It seemed that with all the trouble over rustlers and outlaws, folks were choosing to steer clear of the road west. He kept a lookout for any signs of the cattle and it was clear from the marks in the sand that animals had been driven this way recently.

  But who’s doing the driving, that’s what I want to know, he thought.

  For all his investigation, he was still no closer to solving the mystery as to the identity of the bandits, but his number one suspect remained his half-brother. Thomas’ morning in Westfort had only strengthened that suspicion, for it was just like Harrison to create a culture of fear and intimidation. It was a tactic their father had used often.

  Back when Thomas was a child, he’d watch his father paying off an official or bribing a lawmaker. There’d be threats, too, blackmail and extortion. They’d arrive in a town and start working to ingratiate themselves. His father could be charming, just as Harrison could, but then would come the threats.

  Thomas had seen it often enough to know his brother’s hand was in this, too. Harrison had no doubt paid off Marshal Williams and threatened those of lower rank with repercussions if they didn’t turn a blind eye. Harrison was as ruthless as their father had been, and he had no qualms about resorting to violence in order to achieve his ends.

  He was nearing the ravine in which he’d encountered the bandit’s henchmen the other day. Thomas was not afraid, even on his new horse he knew he could ride quicker than most men and, as the sheriff, he would happily use the pistol at his side to see off unwanted attentions.

  He patted the horse’s mane, wondering what name to give him, for he’d been a loyal companion that day and if Scout was now to be Aline’s, then Thomas needed a new horse to call his own. He’d just rounded a corner and entered the ravine when a shout from behind caused him to rein in.

  “Help me, please, I’m injured,” came the cry.

  Thomas looked around him. He’d seen no one on the trail just now and the man’s voice had startled him. But he sounded injured and in need of help. Thomas pulled the horse round and made his way cautiously back.

  “Hello there, where are you? I’m the sheriff of Lakestone, are you injured?” Thomas called out.

  “I am, help me, please, over here. I’ve fallen, my leg’s broken,” came the reply.

  Thomas paused a moment; his instincts were telling him that something wasn’t right. He’d seen no one on the trail and it was unusual, even in these parts, to hear someone crying out for help like this. But if it really was a wounded man, then Thomas knew he had a duty to help.

  I can’t just leave him, he admitted to himself.

  Thomas jumped down from the horse’s back and hurried toward the voice. He could see the man lying just off the trail amidst some scrubby bushes. Next to him stood a horse, saddled and looking nervous.

  “It’s all right,” Thomas s
aid, rushing to the man’s side.

  But as he did so, the man sat up. His face was covered by a bandana, and only his eyes were showing beneath his hat.

  “You shouldn’t have stopped, Sheriff. Haven’t you ever heard of an ambush?” the man growled, just as a blow to the back of his head sent Thomas sprawling to the ground with a cry of pain.

  ***

  Aline couldn’t settle, she kept pacing the parlor up and down, wondering where Clarence and Hector had gone. It wasn’t like them to just disappear, and she knew Mr. Knox would be cross to learn they’d been shirking their duties. But there was little she could do about it and she sat down by the stove with a sigh, picking up a book and idly flicking through it.

  “Oh, Sammy, it’s no good, I can’t just sit here,” she said out loud, casting the book aside after just a few moments.

  The cat looked at her and arched his back. He himself appeared far less concerned at the missing ranch hands and leapt down to continue his breakfast of tinned sardines from a dish on the floor in the corner.

  I’m just being foolish, Aline reminded herself, crossing to the window and looking out across the ranch yard.

  She could see the track stretching off towards Lakestone, the prairie grass moving gently in the breeze. It was a lonely place without company, and she wondered about riding into town and finding Thomas. They could take tea at the Hotel Anaconda and she could call in on Lita Morrell.

  “But I don’t want to disturb him,” she said out loud.

  She felt silly for wanting to run off to Lakestone just because she was at home by herself.

  I’ll go tomorrow, she thought, returning to her place by the stove, Thomas doesn’t need me disturbing him from his work.

  She spent the rest of the day reading her book and trying not to think too hard about the isolation of Lampeter Ranch. Back home, the freedom of the west had been its allure, but now she found herself doubting whether she was cut out for the life of a rancher.

  I’ll be all right, she told herself, I’ve got Thomas and Mr. Knox—two of the nicest men you could ever hope to meet.

  And with that thought, she rallied herself and set to baking a cake, this time remembering to include the eggs.

  ***

  Thomas opened his eyes, blinking in the sunlight. His vision was blurred and for a moment he could only make out the brightness of the sunshine, which hurt his head. He groaned, rolling onto his side and wincing as a pain shot through his ribs.

  “What the… oh,” he moaned, clutching at his head and letting out another moan.

  “What’s wrong, Sheriff Redmond, did you take a tumble?” said a voice above him.

  Thomas started, recoiling back, as the figure came into focus.

  “No…” he cried, scrabbling for his pistol.

  “Looking for this?” his half-brother asked, an ugly smirk on his face.

  “Harrison… you… no…” Thomas said, struggling to sit up, his vision now coming back into focus.

  “You and I need to have a conversation, Thomas. Away from prying eyes. I didn’t like doing this, but you keep digging where you’re not wanted and I don’t like that. You know how it is,” Harrison said.

  Thomas now realized he wasn’t alone, the man who’d played the decoy was stood over him, too, along with several others that Thomas didn’t recognize. He was surrounded, and the wound to his head was smarting.

  “So it is you who’s rustling the cattle,” he said, looking up at his half-brother, who shook his head.

  “Did anyone mention anything about cattle? I don’t think so. I’m an honest businessman and I’m concerned that your poking around in Westfort is bad for my business. Very bad,” Harrison continued.

  “You won’t get away with this, Harrison. I’m done with turning a blind eye to you, you’re…” Thomas said, struggling to get to his feet.

  “Oh, I think I will, Sheriff, because if you don’t turn that blind eye, someone’s going to get hurt—and I don’t just mean you,” Harrison replied, his smirk becoming a nasty grimace.

  “You wouldn’t…” Thomas said, his stomach churning at the knowledge of what Harrison was about to say next.

  “Aline’s a pretty little lady and it would be a might shame if something nasty happened to her,” Harrison drawled, his words hanging menacingly in the air.

  “Even you wouldn’t stoop so slow, Harrison,” Thomas countered, scrabbling to his feet.

  Despite his injuries, Thomas wasn’t about to let his half-brother win. He was outmanned and outgunned, but Harrison had gone too far this time. The others laughed and Harrison pushed Thomas back to his knees, still pointing the pistol at him.

  “Oh, I like Aline, I like her very much. But it seems we have a problem there, too. You’re interfering with my plans for home and business, if you get my drift. You back off them both, else it’ll be more than a beating this time,” Harrison snarled and, raising the pistol, he fired it off into the air, causing a nearby flock of birds to startle.

  “You’re making a big mistake, Harrison,” Thomas said, but his half-brother only laughed.

  “The mistake’s yours, Thomas. Your first mistake was putting on that badge, ever since then you’ve been a thorn in my side. Look at you, thinking you’re better than the rest of us. Just remember, I know exactly where you came from and if you try and interfere, I’ll settle things with Aline and then come and find you. The only reason you’re not dead is because blood is thicker than water,” Harrison said.

  Before Thomas could reply, his half-brother had stepped forward and planted the end of his boot into Thomas’ ribs. The blow sent him reeling backwards, and he cried out in pain.

  “You stay away from Aline,” Thomas cried, staggering to his feet, as the others laughed.

  Harrison carefully removed the bullets from Thomas’ pistol before throwing it back at him, along with a canteen of a water and packet of biscuits.

  “Now, you enjoy your walk home, Sheriff Redmond, and if there’s any more interference from you then you’ll know I always keep my promises,” Harrison replied.

  With that, he and the others mounted their horses, taking Thomas’ with them. He watched as Harrison rode away, cursing that he’d been so foolish as to be ambushed like that.

  He’d have got me somehow, Thomas reassured himself, staggering to his feet.

  The sun was hot overhead and he’d a long walk ahead of him. He took a swig of water from the canteen and took to the trail, making his way slowly in the direction of Lakestone.

  Well, at least I know one thing, he told himself, my suspicions about Harrison were right.

  But it wasn’t the cattle rustling that concerned him now, or the fact that his half-brother was clearly the instigator of the whole unpleasant business. What concerned Thomas were the threats Harrison had made toward Aline. Thomas wasn’t going to stay away from her. He’d fallen in love with her, and his half-brother’s threats only made those feelings more intense.

  I’m not backing off from Aline, and I sure as anything won’t let Harrison take her away from me, he told himself as he made his way back to Lakestone and whatever fate had in store for him next.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Aline had passed an uneventful day at Lampeter Ranch. There’d been no sign of Clarence of Hector and the rock buns had gone uneaten. She’d swept and dusted, cleared out another cupboard, baked a seed cake—far more successfully than the day before—and seen to every one of her duties.

  But despite the busy day, suspicious thoughts had never been far from her mind. Where were Clarence and Hector? And why had she seen nothing of Mr. Knox that day, either? That night, she’d barred the door and checked all the windows twice. The ranch had felt lonely, foreboding even, as though a storm were hanging over the prairie and waiting to break.

  “We’ll ride into Lakestone tomorrow and see Thomas,” she’d told Scout, as she took the horse her evening oats.

  Aline didn’t sleep well that night, but, as with so many things, it all
looked better in the daylight. She awoke to the sun streaming into her bedroom, and Sammy purring contentedly at her feet. If any bandits had come, then they’d not disturbed her and as she rose she offered up a silent prayer of thanks for safe delivery.

  “Now then, Sammy, let’s get you fed and then I’m off to Lakestone,” she said to the cat, opening a tin of sardines, which caused great excitement in her feline companion.

  With Sammy fed and her domestic tasks complete , Aline put on her bonnet and went out into the ranch yard. There was still no sign of Clarence and Hector. She checked inside the barn and saw that the bunk beds hadn’t been slept in, neatly made in the corner.

  It’s so strange, she thought.